Purpose: The aim of this systematic review of qualitative forgiveness studies by nurse authors is to contribute to the body of holistic nursing knowledge by discovering answers to the following research questions: (a) where/how does a person get the power to forgive? and (b) what are the people who forgive like? Method: We conducted a systematic search of the English language, peer-reviewed literature for nurse-authored, primary qualitative research that answered our research questions. A total of 188 potential studies were found, and 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. Results: Study participants used interpersonal, intrapersonal, and transpersonal sources of power to forgive, including prayer, meditation, and support from family, friends, and nurses. The findings also revealed the cognitive, emotional, and spiritual traits of forgiving people, including being faith oriented, empathetic, and understanding the meaning of forgiveness as letting go of negative emotions. The findings confirm activities listed under “Forgiveness Facilitation” (2018) in Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) and suggest additions. Conclusion: This literature review adds to nursing knowledge by synthesizing the findings of the review in a way that provides guidance to nurses to help facilitate forgiveness with patients who want that.

A multi-cultural understanding of forgiveness may provide the impetus for further theory development and research in nursing, and could be used to educate nurses on beginning interventions in this area.

The purpose of this article is to offer evidence-based forgiveness interventions clinically useful to nurses in holistic health promotion for individuals, families, and communities. Forgiveness interventions are developed and described within four approaches inspired by midrange nursing theorists who have adapted their theories from Bandura's Social Learning Theory and Frankl's Theory of Meaning. Interventions are also assimilated from a comprehensive review of theoretical and research literature. The four interventional approaches include persuasive information, vicarious experience, awareness of physiological reactions, and enactive attainment. Barriers to implementation are discussed as well as ways to individualize the interventions.

Aims The first aim was to learn what books and other media the study participants would recommend for inspiring people to let go of anger towards themselves or others and have a kinder intention towards themselves or others. The second aim was to learn which media had these effects on participants, and how. The third aim was to compile lists of cited media that can be available to nurses and other healthcare professionals who want to utilize media therapy for the facilitation of forgiveness. Design Phenomenological qualitative. Methods Thematic analysis of semi‐structured interviews with 39 participants. Results A total of 166 diverse media were identified as useful for helping people forgive, which were compiled into tables and categorized into cross‐culturally useful forgiveness process themes. Findings also verified and expanded a previously compiled forgiveness guidance document that summarized the findings of 11 qualitative studies revealing how people forgive.